Fishing rod



Aug. 30, 1932. R. H. COWDERY FISHING ROD Filed Oct. 14. 1950 jW CJLI/VENTOR.

770%EYS Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE ROBERT H. COWDERY, OF GENEVA, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO THE AMERICAN FORK & HOE COMPANY, OF GENEVA, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO FISHING ROD Application filed October 14, 1830. Serial No. 488,581.

of the rod is given quick upward and backward movement with respect to the caster, which movements bring the tip of the rodto a point behind or adjacent to the head of the caster. In this position the rod is bent generally into the form of an inverted U. Then with a quick forward movement of the casters wrist or wrist and forearm, which movement may be given at the moment the tip of the rod reaches its rearmost position or rior my thereto, a final or maximum flexing o the rod is effected. The rod thus has stored in it in the nature of a stressed spring, an amount of potential energy. Thereupon without substantial movement of the casters wrist or as arm, the rod, in the nature of a spring, un coils or retracts, converting the potential energy into kinetic energy, causing the tip of the rod to be carried forward with exceedingly great velocity and on a line approxiao mately starting from the level of the casters head. The kinetic energy thus developed in the rod throws the projectile or bait which is secured to the end of the line and up to this time supported by the line at a point adjacent the tip of the rod, forwardly with great velocity.

It has been found by experience that the projectile or bait may be projected to great distances and with great accuracy of posia0 tion at the end of the flight with rods of this type. It has also been found, however, that the degree of accuracy and the ease with which the projectile or bait may be accuratelv projected, as well as the distance attainable by the projectile, is predeterminable by the shape of the rod. I

In all cases it is highly desirable that the rod shall be slender and generally tapering from the handle end to the tip end, but it has been found that better results can be obtained with rods which do not taper uniformly. For example, rods superior in casting urposes in respect to the characteristics a ove re-' ferred to,taper rapidly in portions relatively near the handle and with a decreasing rate of taper in portions more remote from the handle.

Heretofore rods of the type referred to have made gradually tapering from the bandle end to the tip end at varying rates of taper, but because the rate of taper. varies and because the rate of taper found by experience to be the most efiicient in the respects above referred to follows no re lar or known law or, in other words, fol ows no known longitudinal profile curve, the machinery and methods for the manufacture of the same involves complications and expense resulting in relatively high cost of manufacture of the rods.

It is therefore one of the objects of my invention to provide a metallic casting rod of the type referred to which may be relatively cheap to-manufacture.

Another object is to provide a rod of the type referred to in which the desired variable rate of taper of the rod may be effected in an accurate and relatively cheap manner.

Another object is to provide a metallic casting rod of the type referred to in which the requisite varying taper, from handle end to tip end, is effected by a succession of cylindrical portion of successively varying diameters and of successively varying lengths.

Another object is to provide a metallic casting rod of the class referred to in which the varyin taper from end to end of the rod may be in e ect the resultant of a series of cylin drical portions of different diameters and of different lengths whereby the rod may be accurately finished to the exact various diameters and lengths of said portions by a simple cylindrical grinding operation or succession of such operations.

Another object is to provide a metallic casting rod of the class referred to adapted to perform in use predetermined casting functions and composed of a'succession of cylindrica portions of various preselected diameters and lengths which are so chosen as to cause the rod to bend with substantially the same curvature in different portions thereof as casting rods which continuously taper from end to end and which perform the said desired cast ing functions.

Another object is to provide a flexible metallic casting rod, of smaller and smaller cross-sectional area from handle end to tip end and adapted to be accurately finished by cylindrical grinding operations.

Other objects of my invention will occur to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains.

My invention is fully disclosed in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a complete fishing rod in which my invention is embodied;

Fig. 2 is a View showing the rod of Fig. 1, drawn to a smaller scale, and illustrating the manner of its use in casting, with the rod in one of the positions it assumes when flexed or partly flexed;

Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are views of fragments of a rod embodying my invention, all of the fragments being drawn to the same scale and substantially full size, and the said fragments being so drawn that if placed successively end to end in the order in which the figures are numbered, they would constitute a view full size of an embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown at 1 generally the rod of my invention and have indicated generally at 2 a rod handle. The handle 2 may be variously formed and constructed. The handle illustrated comprises a grip portion 3, an intermediate portion 4 with which may be associated a line reel, a hook 5 for the forefinger of the holder and a rod socket portion 6. The socket portion 6 comprises a longitudinally bored or tubular socket 7 preferably formed integrally with the metal intermediate shank portion 4, and the socket 7 may be covered exteriorly with a cork or other covering 8.

The rod 1 comprises a plurality or series of successive portions generally cylindrical and of generally different diameters and different lengths. These portions or sections of the rod are indicated in the drawing successively by the numerals 10 to 16 inclusive. The section 10 is provided for securing the rod to the handle and the other sections are given suitable diameters and lengths to render them and the rod as a whole flexible and to cause it to bend in operation, to a curvature of relatiy'ely short radius in some portions and greater radius in other portions to effect the projection of the projectile or artificial bait, as the case may be, with the minimum of effort and the maximum of accuracy.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawing, the section 10 is approximately 1 long and 25 in diameter, and the bore of the socket 7 is made of such size as to slidingly fit the section 10 whereby the handle and the rod proper may be easily assembled together for use or taken apart for transportation purposes, or, in the latter instance, for the substitution of other handles.

'hen the section 10 isthus teleseoped into the socket 7, the rod 1 and handle 2 are rigidly connected together. At its forward end the section 10 tapers rapidly as shown at 17 in substantially conical form down to the diameter of the next section 11.

If preferred, in the construction of the rod, the section 10 may be constructed by pressfitting a sleeve over the rear end of the section 10 to increase the diameter of the rod at its rear end. lVhen this form of construction is employed, the sleeve will be indicated by the dotted lines 18 in Fig. 3, and the sleeve 18 may be braized or otherwise secured to the section 11 of the rod.

The section 11, as illustrated, is approximately 2 long by in diameter, and the forward end thereof as shown at 1t) is abruptly tapered in generally conical form down to the diameter of the next section 12.

The section 12, is approximately 81%; long by in diameter and at its forward end as shown at 20 rapidly tapers down to the next section.

The rest of the rod may be similarly described, each of the sections at its end rapidly tapering down on generally conical form to the diameter of the next succeeding section, as shown respectively at 21, 22, and 23. And the dimensions of the remaining sections are approximately as follows, for the section 13, 8 by 5%;for the section 14, 8%" by A"; for the section 15, 8 by and for the section 16, 8% by From the foregoing description of the length and diameters of the sections 11 to 16 inclusive, it will now appear that the rod 1 has what may be called a resultant general taper from the section 10 to the forward end of the rod, the taper resulting from the successive reductions in diameter. Also, it will be apparent that the resultant general taper is not a uniform taper because, although the successive sections are reduced in diameter by equal amount, namely a 32nd of an inch in each case. the lengths of the sections are not equal. Inasmuch as the section 11 is a relatively short section, the resultant general taper is a very abrupt taper at the rear end of the rod ad acent the handle or adjacent the sect-ion 10, and outwardly from the section 11 the taper is less abrupt. Thus the rod tapers rapidly near the handle and more gradually at portions remote from the handle.

One of the distinct advantages of the rod of my invention resides in the effecting of its taper by the provision of a succession of cylindrical sections of varying lengths and varying diameters. The specific embodiment illustrated, having the dimensions above given. is generally typical and preferable, and these dimensions have been found by experience to produce a rod by which a projectile or an artificial bait may be accurately and easily cast and to great distances. But

, the rod and the performance thereof in option and more easily maintained in accurate producing condition than would be possible if the rod had a continuous taper from one end to the other, particularly Where, as has been shown to be desirable hereinbefore,

= such taper is not uniform.

In the production of the rod of my invention. the preferred method is to first produce the rod generally of the desired form and then to grind the sections to 16 or 11 to 16 inclusive to the desired relative lengths and relative diameters. To those skilled in this art. it will at once he apparent that the rod of my invention is adaptable to production to meet the requirements of individual users or to supply a graded line of rods of different casting properties mere- 1y by variably adjusting the grinding machine to the required diameter of section and length thereof.

As illustrated in the drawing, the rod of my invention may be provided with a tip 24: and line guides 25 and 26 suitably spaced between the tip and the handle for guiding the line. The tip 24 and guides 25 and 26 may be of any known or suitable construction. Preferably, I provide guides 25 and 26 of construction adapting them to be secured on the rod by a wrapping of fine wire 27 and if desired, the Wrapping and/or the guide may be soldered or otherwise secured to the metal of the rod itself. And the tip 24 has preferably a tubular stem 28 adapted to be telescoped over the end of the rod and soldered thereto.

My invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described. Modifications and changes may be made in the. invention as illustrated and described without departing from the spirit thereof or sacrificing its advantages. Particularly, the rod of my invention is not limited to the exact dimensions of the successive sections thereof described hereinbefore.

I claim:

1. The method of making a casting rod,

which includes grinding the external surface of a solid rod of steel to the form of a longitudinal series of cylindrical portions of successively smaller diameter.

2. The method of making a casting rod,

which includes grinding the external surface of a solid rod of steel to the form of a longitudinal series of cylindrical ortions of successively smaller diameter an of successively greater length.

3. The method of making a casting rod, which includes performing a metal removing operation on the external surface of a solid rod of steel to give it the form of a longitudinal series of cylindrical portions of successively smaller diameter.

4. The method of making a casting rod, which includes performing a metal removing operation on the external surface of a solid rod of steel to give it the form of a longitudinal series of cylindrical portions of successively smaller diameter, and of successively greater length.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature this 11 day of October, 1930.

ROBERT H. COWDERY. 

